Sound recording and reproducing machine.



No. 655,556. Patented Aug. 7, I900. E. R. JOHNSON.

SOUND RECORDING AND REPRDDUGING MAGHINE.

(Application filed June 1, 1897.) (No Nodal.)

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FENZQSYLVMTIA.

nenon *IE 3392? ion zing; pest oi Lettere ietcne Ho, 655,55i5, dated .hngnet' if, 1990. n minee filled June 1, ice-i. smnnmseosc. we model.)

To all whom 13$ may concern:

Be it known thet i, ELnninon R. Jounson, citizen of the United States, and n resident of Camden, State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sound Recording and Reproducing Machines and I do hereby declare the following to bee full, clear, and exact description thereoi', referenoe being bad to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification.

- My invention rolates to certain improvements in sound recording and reproducing machines, and has for its object to improve and simplify the construction of the recording and reproducing mechanism commonly known as the sound-box, as'more fully set for-eh hereinafter.

In the acoompanying drswings Figure l is an elevation, partly in section, or the sonnd be consisrucledlin aocord nce with my inven tion. Fig. 2 is epcrspective View of the some. Fi 3 is a VlDWjillilllfil to Fig. LiIlustz-eting modification of the structure to permit the adjustment-of the rubber rings or gaskets in their relation to the diaphragm. Fig. l is a similar view illustrating a further modificoing'to more one orthe otb-e'rbeyond the proper limit will be avoided.

from the full surface of the diaphragm the full force and efiect of the sound-waves, the diaphragm at the periphery should be preeticn-lly free. Further, where thefulcrumpoint of the stylus-bar tends in operation by reason of the construction to yield in any epprecioble degree the diaphragm should be sufficiently loose at the edges to allow the plane of the diaphragm to accommodate itself to the To obtain the best results and to secure changingfolcrum-point. '.A fnriher difficulty '50.

found in the ordinary machines is that no e1 'lowenoe is made'for the shifting movement and reproduction of soundwnves of varying intensity are the principal objects of my invention. -65 Referring to the drawings, A represents the tubular section of the diaphregm-sugaporting frame connected at one end to a recessed die-.

phlegm-holding disk B, and at its-opposite end leading and connected directly or indi 7o rectly to n mouthpiece, trumpet, or similar sound-conveying'device. In the front face of the disk B is formed o. recess b, having a. step or flange c,- onwliicl'i is pieced a ring or gasket d, of rubber or other'soiteole yielding ma.- 7 5 terial, for the reception and support of the dim phregm D. On theouter faceof the diaphragm is placed a second rubber ring cl, the latter being confined. in ,nlnoe by a disk E, secured by screws etc the recessed disk B. It is to 80 be noted that the edge of the diaphragmis,

as shown more clearly-in Fig. 5, preferably at a. slight distance fromtheedjacent circular portion of the wall oflhe recess b, In other words, the diameter of the diaphragm is pref- 35 ereblyslightly less than the diameter of the recess formed in the casing.

In a. recess g, formed in the peripheries or the disks B and E, is fitter? the'etylus-bar holder ors oringeupportf preferably reor (laced at about midwey of its length, comprising two block-like portions h h, connected by' a plate hithe distance between the blockseud the thickness end-width of "the plate h governing the freedom of morement-oflhe g5 styl us-ber I. The sooport H is SGGUTQQQJLO the disk B by a screw g, as illustrated irifFigs. 1 and 4. It is clear that the plate k may bi.

integral with the block-like portion h or they may consistof two separate parts, being se- .cured to the disk B by the screw g.

.lergement of the orifice in the block it and plate portion h, through which the screw (1 passes, will obviously permit of a slight lateral adjustment of these parts. in Fig. 1 the oriflee through which the screw g passes is not shown as enlarged. In Fig. 3 it is shown slightly enlarged, which will permit of a. slight adjustment. In Fig. 4 the orifice through which the screw g passes is shown as considerably enlarged to permit of a more-extended adjustment.

The stylus-burl is rigidly secured to or is formed integral with the block h' of the support H and at one end is recessed for the reception of e. stylus or needle 7.2, which is held in position by a. set-screw It. It is clear that its the stylus-point 'or needle 70 is provided in siongitudinelly-disposed recess or bore in the the but is turned at an angle to its length and hesnslightly-enlerged head igrhic 1 is phonetically con nected to the diaphragm and is preferably secured bye slightlyelastic cement i. In adjusting the stylus-bar to the dirtphrz'igm much care must be taken to prevent even the slightest pressure upon either tne diaphragm or the bar. The two must be so connect-ed that both will yield and. each respond to the movement of the other,but neither be under the slightest strain or tension. To accomplish this, the head i of the'styiusebnr is aliowedto come into contact with the center of the diaphragm after the letter has been carefully adjusted, and the head is then slightly raised our of contact with the diaphrsgm-say to the extent of about one one-thousandth of an inch-41nd the cement is placed or poured around the head of the ear, and, if necessary, heat is employed to melt the cementnnd firmly unite the two pieces to each other;

At a suitable point in. the length of the stylus-her is a guard M, secured by screws m to the face of the disk E and having at its center e. slot in, through which passes the stylusbnr I, the distance between the side and bottom wollsof the slot and the sides of the sty- Ins-bar being about one oue-hundredthof an inch, so that lateral movement of the stylusber to any greater extent than this is ubsolutoly prevented: The vibration of the diaphragm beyond the normal limits is prevented inoue direction by -he bottom wall of the slot m and in the opposite direction by an adjustable stopscrew n, screwing into the disk E at a point Within the slot and immediately under the stylus-bar.

The en- To obtain the bcst rcsults and to reproduce pure and musical notes .loud, distinct, and clear, the diaphragm should'move as a whole in both recording and reproducing and not be rigidly confined at its peripheries in such amanner as to make it simply a round spring in which the vibratory movement is greatest at the stylus contact or thecenter. This iege in both recording and reproducing. As the recording is caused by the'sound-wnves notion on the surface of the diaphragm, it is clear that if the whole surface responds to the action of the Waves it will give amuch more powerful movement to the stylus-bmythereby assisting to make a more perfect record, as it will to a much greater extent overcome the resistance to the stylus caused by friction or resistance. in cutting or marking the record of the sound-waves. To provide for this free movementof the diuph ragm, l prclerablyconstruct the holding devices -in the manner shownjn Fig, 3, in which a flanged ring E takes the place of the disk E, the annular flange e of said ring fitting over the periphery of the disk 15 and being provided with slots a, through which pass holding-screws g to properly adjust the gaskets in the casing to'their proper position relative to the die.- phrngm. in this construction it is desirable that the block 7 of the stylus-support ll be slotted, as shown at Z, so that the stylus-support and the stylus may be adjusted with the diaphragm in order to prevent any straining or tension on one or the other.

in Fig. 5 I have illustrated on an exaggersled scale a crosssection of the rubber rings or gaskets and diaphragm, showing the naturally rough surincc of the rubber rings. These rings should be of less thickness than the distance between the respective adjacent feces of the inclosing casing and the respective feces of the diaphragm when in its normal position. It is clear that the construction should be such, as for as the relation of the gaskets and thedinphrngm is concerned, that the gaskets shall not interfere with the free vibratory movement of the diaphragm approximately evenly throughout its, entire area, though thedegrecofproximity may vary within these limitations.

The construction of the stylus-support illustrated in fig. 1 is one adapted for ordinary '75 puisly-ccnter vibration is a great disadvanpurposes, the length and thickness of the plate It beim sufficient to check excessive vibrneat-wee ah eoiisimeiion'iliosix eieil lie muck h'ie med-o, inte- .9, the io'fiier being of co";- J4" am slotted m. Ea ier enringeoz'ew g. pinto k tur 9gb a a lot 32 formed i5 Eel)- ol: 5, which lm'ter iseleo pro 0? fee i ishe'seeuring soreiv g, iii 29 eilgiietzaeet fer the iower in higher notes-the epeeitioiis of 319 Myles-bar and (lief ol'aragm ssh-bald. not be altered, and the plate b ilzere'fore remains i H18 same position at lile me eloitecl block 7% is moved a bleak h, so to decrease "ref sheplete between Milieu ee sf blocks henfi the fin-:12 eeemeii pesition 5o bind the plate, the effect being substantially idle same as lion zine Toleoi: h were formed integral will: 0,13 elem", however, that the lafiiaeving the elongated slot h as shown t. 4-, if desired, be also laterally ad- 303%,mh021gh the former adjustment is isle. i

a of spring '50? mounting tee stylusue'ziot myself'to the form fie is it fol opemiion of the looseiy-rnounted die- 35 etyi e be adjusi-uolyeecured upon the box though ibis prefeiabie.

., g time zieecri f-ed my invenl;ion,'wlmt em (:le lre to secure by Letterslatiecording and repreduoing' 'm IfiOllDled upon the stys periphery free from conurge: to vibrate substanzigiiom its entire 2 1d ogre, eeizl beinge'o eoneii'netas permit of The free viue-ment. o the diaphragm at the l 1311 zidjaeent to eeid rings eubsmntieliy evenly for ".zghem, its entire area, said tinge abnermal with e elet k in line with the slot h". i J

ell ie bioclzhfio ecoompiish the same herein described a, preferable conoerl, as oilze fez-n 3 may be employed Willa-f from. my invention as claimed; lately necessary to ihe success niimgm time she spx-ing-mounting of ihe an new ih'e periphery of 7 I w 4. l'neeouodmeooring or reprodueing me .eliioe, e epring-mormeed stylus-bar; a, dieplazegm loosely mounted in its casing free to vibrate approximately evenly througlioot ite entire area, yielding rings arranged on either 35 side of and near the peripheizfi of the die? phmgm to retain said diaphragm against, ail-- norm'al displacement and errenged'en'edjusted so as nee-lie interfere wizh the'freevlbretory movemen i3 of the diaphragm eubeian 8o tielly evenlythroughout its entire ame'es fle seliloefl.

5. in e Sound recording or reproducing meeliine, the cembinetioo of a sound-box, a loosely-mounted diziphragmfree to 'ibrete at 85 its peripheral, releiniEg-gasket therefor; and a bQPiHg-HiOGBtGd sbylue' phonetically connected with the said diaphregmoubstenbially as described. U

8. In esounci recording or reproducing mago, chine, the combination of the soundrbox a iooseiymouni-ecl diaphragm therein free to Vibrate at its periphery, va siyluebar suppori- 7 ing' said diaphragm anfigaskets sufieiently leose not to interfere with the free yihiatory o5 movement of thecliphragm zit-its peiipheay, 7 substeniielly as described. A

7. lo a, .soemi recording and reproucieg machine, a loosely-mounted diaphragm carried at its cent-rail point upon a Spring-sup zoo ported stylus-her, said stylus-bar being 10ngi'zuilinelly bored at. its lower end for tiaeIreeepiion oftheneeclle oi'siyl us point, a thumb eerow providezi in the lowerend of said stylus be? for securing and reguieoin iahe length of .205

adjustment of the stylnspoinbm its Pele- Zion to the main image spring-plate rigidly s'ooured to said Myles-oar intermediate of its lengeh'end so the casing of the 'sound-bex,

for regulaiingtlle longitudinal ust- E in meat of the said. spring-9laa3e, said spring ple ze operating as a fulcrum for the eagles the Whole oonetmoted to allow the looselymounted diaphragm lo vibrate substantially evenly throughoutius entire area Eyes: s 1125 central point, eebseen-Zially as desc ibe-i 8. in e sound recording and reprmluoieg machine, the combination of the oenti'ally-q supporie'd' diaphragm leosely mounted iii the sound-box casing", 2 springeupported slifllJiS- zzo bar having one end thereof connected with the oen fie: of the diaphragm, and gieripherei portiens of the said diaphragm being freely and iooseiy moon ted Within the casing of ihe seund-box so as to allow eaid diaphragm to I vibrate substantially evenly throughoutits entire area, ayielding stylus-bar suppert secm ed to said casing and to said stylus-bar at opposite encls repecbively, said support comprising a metallic springgplate, 72, rigidly secured at one end to the Stylus-harem a5:- ihe other end aclj notably mountezlupon the sounel-box, substantially as described.

A yielding stylus-oer support for soencl opposite end. of the spring-support integral 'constructecl'and arranged to permit of the free vibrator-y movement of the diaphragm throughout its entire ares, yielding material recording and reproducing machines comprislog n metallic plate, 71?, having 251 eninrged head or block, h, aiisptecl to be secured to the stylus-bar, the opposite end adjustable upontne sound-box, said metallic plate, h being reduced in thickness to provide the requisite, siiiiness-in the pints, sncsi-nntieily as described. 1

10. In a sonnii recording and reproducing machine, a diaphragm icosely mounted in the casing free to Vibrate approximately evenly throughout its entire sites, it stylus-bar carr ying said diaphragm centrally upon the upper end ofsaid bar, a sbring-snpport for the stylus-bar comprising a this springplete, 11?, having an enlarged end portion, h, rigidly secured upon the styins-bnr,;sn enierged block portion, 7i, provided upon the with the plate, hiend orifice, l, transversely prori-zied through the portion, h, for the reception of and adjustment upon the securing and adjusting screw, g, for securing said sag pore to the sound-box of tire machine, suostsniinlly es describe.

- 11. in ii souncl recorriiog and reproducing machine, a sonnet-box casingsu iooseiymonntsci diaphragm provifie iherein, a stylus-bar stieciieii to the said iispliragni at its upper end, yielding rings provided on either side of snid diaphragm near the periphery thereof substantially-evenly inrougiiont its entire sixes. operating {LS retainers against abnormal dispisc'ement of the xiisphrngm and adjustable flange-ii ring provided upon the upper side of the casing to regulate the adjustment of the said yielding rings in relation to the Liiapliregm, substantially as fiesoribecl.

'12. In a sound recortllng and reproducing machine, a sound-box, a loosely-mounted dis,- pn'mgm free toribrnte substantially evenly provided upon either side of the diaphragm near the periphery to retain the diaphragm against abnormal dispinceznest and so as not to interfere with the free vibratory move- 1 ceases merits at points ejecent to said yielding ma) teriel and flanged cap E, scljustablyproricleai upon the sound-box io reguinte the adjustment of the yielding material to the diaphragm and means for adj listing and secnring said flanged esp upon said sou'nd oox, snbstnntieliy as described.

13. In a sound recording and reproducing machine, a SOlliMibOX casing, spring-supported'stylus, a diaphrngnirroimted in said casing at its central point upon the upper end. of said stylus, as spring secured to said stylus and to the walls of the casing constituting a yielding support for said stylus, snii (linpliragin being ofn diameter less than t ne diameteroi' ihe re cess"in said casing in which it is mounted toellow of clay between sire edges of: the diaphragm and *he oircnior wsils of said. recess, the faces of the dis-phrases near the periphery being loosely monntei'l io allow of fnli and free vibration,sniistsniiiilly as described.

1%. In scenii recording and repro tiucir. machine, a sprisg mounting for the styinsbar eiljnsisbie lengthwise upon the sonnloozr, said secured at one end is the stylus-oar its opposite end noon tiie sonnii on and an adjustable flanged retaining-ring adapter to the main frame of the sonndbcx adjustable thereon and means forl oirlingilie flanged ring in iis'mljzisierl positions, substantially as described.

15. In a sound-box, a casing, a looselymoun'ied fiisphregm therein free to vibrate approximately evenly throughout its entire area sni n styius-bsrsrrnngeil snbsisntisliy parallel to the face of the diaphragm yi-eiingiy mounted upon the casing and naming; its upper end plidn'eiicsiiy connecterl with the center of the diaphragm, substant ally as described,

lnsyiines's whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 26th cisy of May, A. D. 1897.

ELDRKDQE R. JQHNSGN. 

